n. 1 a stiff sticky earth, used for making bricks, pottery, ceramics, etc. 2 poet. the substance of the human body. 3 (in full clay pipe) a tobacco-pipe made of clay. clay-pan Austral. a natural hollow in clay soil, retaining water after rain. clay pigeon a breakable disc thrown up from a trap as a target for shooting. clayey adj. clayish adj. claylike adj.
[ OE clg f. WG ]